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The play-off chasing Imps took the lead on 55 minutes through Elliott Whitehouse’s penalty but Colchester levelled on the hour mark through substitute Courtney Senior.

Both sides had chances to take the lead before Imps were reduced to ten men on 84 minutes when Michael Bostwick was deemed to have denied a clear goalscoring opportunity after fouling Michael Mandron.

Despite that, Danny Cowley’s side kept pressing and in the fourth minute of added time another substitute, Waterfall, rose highest to nod the Imps in front and spark scenes of delirium among the 9,000-plus crowd.

With Mansfield being held by Port Vale, the win saw the Imps take a massive step towards clinching a play-off place.

However, the lead lasted just five minutes. After the Imps gave the ball away midway inside their own half, the visitors made them pay with substitute Senior, who had only come off the bench three minutes earlier, finished off a tidy move.

The visitors should have taken the lead on 74 minutes. After substitute Sammie Szmodics got the better of Bostwick, his angled drive was palmed away by Allsop. Habergham couldn’t get the ball clear but Mandron blazed over from in front of goal.

However, amid an increasingly tense atmosphere, the Imps went close twice in quick succession.

First, Green’s shot was spilled by Walker, who then palmed the ball away before Palmer could pounce. Palmer struck the bar with an audacious effort from outside the box.

Michael Bostwick leaves the pitch after being sent off (Image: Chris Vaughan/CameraSport)

Six minutes from time, the Imps were reduced to 10 men when Bostwick was adjusted to have hauled back Mandron. After the referee had consulted with one of his assistants, it was deemed Bostwick had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity and was shown a straight card.

However, the Imps continued with three up front and pressed for a winner which arrived in the most dramatic fashion as Waterfall beat Walker to the ball to head home with almost the last action of the game.